Escalator handrail



1366- 1951 w. F. MASEK ET AL ESCALATOR HANDRAIL 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1 FiledJan. 31, 1949 INVENTORS! WALTER F. MASEK WILLIAM F. RICHARDSON BYfi y/MW ATTORNEYS.

LL LL L L LL L LL L L LL LL L Patented Dec. 11, l 951 UNITED STATESPATENT OFFICE ESCALATOR HANDRAIL Walter F. Masek and William F.Richardson, Colfeyville, Kans., assignors to Multiscope, Inc.,,Cofieyville, Kane a corporation of Kansas Application January 31, 1949,Serial No. 73,818

13 Claims. 1

This invention pertains to hand rails for moving Stairways and the like.

In the co-pending application of Walter F. Masek, Serial Number 663,223,filed April 18, 1946, now Patent No. 2,545,741, granted March 20, 1951,it is proposed to form the moving hand rail for a moving stairway ofsections of coiled spring, suitably joined end-to-end so as to form anendless loop. The external appearance of the joined sections of coiledspring is such that it appears to be a continuous spring, the respectiveturns of which lie contiguous one with the other in straight travel, butwhen turning about an internal radius, the respective turns separateslightly at their exterior. While such a hand rail is quite desirablefor moving stairway installations where the exposed portions of the handrail are,

rectilinear, it is obvious that if such a hand rail were exposed in thatregion which is turning about an inside radius, the fingers of apassengers hand would be liable to be pinched when the hand rail passesfrom a curved portion of its orbit into a straight portion.Consequently, in the use of hand rails as disclosed in the aforesaidpatent, it is imperative to conceal the hand rail at portions of itsorbit where decreases in curvature are taking place. Moreover, theclosely compacted relation of the respective turns of the coil spring,in the arrangement provided by the aforesaid patent do not admit offlexing the hand rail about a radius which is exterior to the endless1001).

An object of this invention is to provide such a hand rail which may beflexed in either direct-lon.

' Another object is to provide an improved guard fora moving handrailwhich will minimize the likelihood that hands or fingers may be caughtor pinched between the hand rail and a fixed cooperating part.

A f-urther object is'to provide improved guiding means, to guide thetravel of the hand rail.

Another object is to provide a flexible hand rail or improvedconstruction.

Further objects will appear from the following description, in which anillustrative embodiment of this invention will be set forth. It isunderstood, however, that this invention is susceptible of variousembodiments, within the scope of the appended claims, without departingfrom the principle orspirit of the invention.

The embodiment to be described is illustrated :in the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

Figure 1 is aside view, partly in section, of a hand rail structureembodying this invention;

Figure 2 is a section on line 2 2 of Figure 1; Figire 3 is an enlargeddetail of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a sectional view of a modified form offhand rail section;

Figure 5 is a plan view of a uard element em!- bracing the movable handrail at the termini or exposed reaches of the latter; and

Figure 6 is a right end view of the guard shown in Figure 5.

In accordance with this invention, generally stated, a flexible handrail is formed of a series of filamentary convolutions, in closely but,substantially spaced (i. e. slightly separated) relation, andsubstantially parallel to each other, and maintained in this relation byflexible means to the end that the rail may flex on radii whose centresare either above or below the rail. Such a series offilamentaryconvolutions maybe provided by a helical coil of wire, having its turnsslightly spaced from one another, or itmay cone sist of separate rings,held in their proper relation by a flexible support. The hand rail ismade in sections, which are joined together to form a continuous length,having its ends joined to provide a loop. The means for joining thesections also provide attachment for supporting means, in the form ofslide shoes. A supporting guide rail is provided on which said shoes maytravel, and said guide rail carries a metallic strip or ribbon forming asmooth contact face for said shoes.

As in the hand rail disclosed in the aforesaid Patent No. 2,545,741 theendless loop Of hand rail sections is driven about and confined to itsorbit by a suitable sprocket-driven drive chain. The chain is arrangedat the inner periphery of the hand rail loop, and the orbit of the handrail is determined by entracking guide elements adjacent the chain, upona fixed track or guide rail. With such an arrangement where the guideele .ments are located on the inside of the endless loop, it is evidentthat'when the hand rail loop bends about a radius located within theloop, the respective rings of the hand rail separate at their outermostradii. Conversely, when the orbit of the hand rail bends about a radiuslocated outside the loop, adjacent rings of the hand rail must movetoward each other at their outer increments. Consequently, in order toadapt such a hand rail for bending about a radius which lies exterior tothe loop, some space must be left between adjacent rings or turns. Theleaving of any such space between adjacent turns may permit the entranceof dirt or other articles, or the flesh of the passengers'- fingers,between the ad ,jacent rings, and also may, in the case of a flex iblehand rail, cause rattling of the sections. Accordingly, the presentinvention contemplates the filling of the spaces between the adjacent pwhich extendbetween adjacent metallic rings to an extent such thatforeign materials cannot enter or become caught between the rings, butwhich will none the less yield to permit the rings to move relative toeach other.

Referring now to the drawings, in the arrangement shown in Figur l, thenumeral I designates a helical coil of wire having its successive turnsslightly spaced from one another. This provides the hand rail elementwhich is grasped by the passengers on the escalator. As the spacesbetween the turns of the coil I may permit the entrance of dirt andother articles, or allow the turns to rattle on each other, an internalflexible sleeve 2 is provided which is shaped to conform to the interiorcontour of the element I, and has portions extending intothe spacesbetween the turns, as shown in Figure 3, to close these spaces againstthe entrance of foreign matter.

In the arrangement of Figure 1, the sleeve 2 is formed of rubber, orother similarly flexible material, and is provided with external grooves3 and internal grooves 4 to render it easily flexible with the coil l.The outer surface of the sleeve is formed with a helical depression 5,in which the turns of the coil I are seated. The grooves 3 form togethera continuous helix following that of the depression 5. The grooves 4 arealso shown as forming a helix, following that of the grooves 3, with itsturns spaced between those of the outer groove. and 4 may, however, beformed as parallel ring grooves, each in a single plane. This rendersthe sleeve 2 very flexible, as only the limited portions thereof betweenadjacent grooves must yield as the coil I bends, and there is verylittle stretching or compression of the material involved.

It will also be noted that by deepening the outer groove 3 to pass clearthrough the wall of the sleeve, the latter becomes a helical stripfollowing the turns of the coil I, and lodged between adjacent turns.This arrangement will also serve to close the spaces between the turns.

The several sections of coil spring I are mounted upon a roller chain20, driven by a suitable sprocket, not shown, so as to move the handrail about a defined orbit. The orbit is defined, as later described indetail, by fixed guide elements located on the inside of the loop ofhand rail. Accordingly, when the orbit bends on a radius whose centerlies externally to the loop of hand rail, the increments of therespective turns in coil I which are most remote from chain must movetoward each other. The degree of spacing between the respective turns ofcoil I is thus determined by the degree of bend about external centerswhich the hand rail will be required to travel. In no event can thespacing be less than sufficient to permit bending of the loop on therequired radius, with adjacent turns of coil I substantially in contactat their increments remote from chain 20. It is also preferable to makethe spacing as small as possible, consistent with the requirements ofbending.

The end portion of the sleeve 2 is formed with a gap 6 exposing aportion of the inner contour of one or more of the turns of the coil I,for attachment thereto of supporting means for the hand rail. Such meansis provided by a coupling block I, having its upper surface formed withgrooves 8 fitting the turns of the coil I, so that the latter may beseated therein. A screw or bolt 9 extends upward through the block I tothe interior of coils I, between the tips of their adjacent end turns,at the junction of successive sections of the hand rail. A coupling capI0 is The grooves 3 by selecting a suitable grade of material.

provided with grooves II, matching the interior contour of one or moreend turns of successive coil I. This cap has a threaded opening so as toprovide a nut for the screw 9. This arrangement provides clamping meansadapted to secure two successive hand rail sections together, andsupporting means provided by the block I.

The block I has lateral extensions which carry a pair of slide shoes I2.These shoes are preferably constructed of a good wearing material, suchas laminated synthetic plastic. They are arranged for cooperation with aguide rail I3 extending along the path that the hand rail is to follow,in the usual manner. The rail I3 may be of any suitable design. In thedrawings it is shown as an extruded aluminum shape. In order to providefor wear and reduce friction, the guide rail or track I3 is provided,where it is engaged by the shoes I2, with a facing in the form of astrip or ribbon I4 of spring steel or similar material. This provides asmoother surface, free from kinks or similar irregularities, which willhave a long life, and which is replaceable when worn. The bearing facesof the shoesIZ may have a slight concave curvature, as shown in Figure2, so as to bear at their ends only, whereby they may follow curves inthe track without tendency to wobble.

In the arrangement of Figure 4, the sleeve 42 is of rubber, or likematerial, and is molded directly into the coil I. In this case thesleeve may be made relatively thin in radial depth, and no grooving isnecessary, as the slight amount of stretching and compression can beaccommodated In this case also, the coil I, instead of being formed as ahelix, may be a series of separate rings held in place by the sleeve 42.While the sleeve may be molded into the coil I and actually bonded tothe rings, it may also be formed separately and then assembled to thecoil by collapsing it preparatory to insertion.

Where the hand rail moves out of operative position at the end of aflight, a guard I5 is mounted on the guide rail I3 to force the removalof a passengers hand from the hand rail at this point. This guard has anopening I6 into which the hand rail moves, said opening being in a frontface I! which slopes upward in the direction of travel of the hand rail.The guard I5 is made of rubber, or like material, having a coefficientof friction substantially higher than the exposed metallic surface ofthe hand rail I. Thus, when the hand of a passenger, gripping the handrail, encounters the guard I5, the hand will be forced to slide on thehand rail in preference to sliding along the guard. The coeflicient offriction of the exposed surface of the guard I5, being relatively muchhigher than that of the exposed surface of the hand rail, thus urges thepassenger to release the hand rail. Moreover. the relative coeificientsof friction are such that the hand rail cannot draw the passengers handpast or into the guard, or pinch the same thereat.

It will be seen, therefore, that this invention accomplishes its objectsin providing a hand rail structure which is cheap to make, simple toerect, and durable and safe in operation. The sectional hand rail, aswell as the track structure, is easily adaptable to high-rate productionmethods of manufacture, and the erection assembly is simpie. Theresulting continuous hand rail is flexible, to pass easily around turns.Its gripping surface is smooth, but the depressions between turnsprovide a secure grip. -At the same time the guard, through its highfriction, effectively releases the hand before any danger of injury canarise.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed and desired to besecured by Letters Patent is:

1. In an escalator hand rail'structure, in combination, a flexible handrail arranged to travel with the escalator, and a guard positioned at alocus along the orbit of said hand rail and provided with an openinginto which said hand rail travels, the front face of said guard beingformed to slope upward in the'direction of travel so as to release thehand of a passenger from said hand rail, and said front face being of amaterial having a coefficient of friction substantially greater than thegrip surface of said hand rail.

2. A traveling hand rail of the character described, comprising, aseries of closely spaced filamentary convolutions in substantiallycoaxial relation, and a flexible tubular member -coaxially arranged inengagement with the interior of said filamentary convolutions.

3. A traveling hand rail of the character described, comprising, aseries of closely spaced filamentary convolutions in substantiallycoaxial relation, and a flexible tubular member coaxially arranged inengagement with the interior of said filamentary convolutions and havingportions extending between said filamentary convolutions.

4. A traveling hand rail of the character described, comprising, aseries of closely spaced filamentary convolutions in substantiallycoaxial relation, and resilient elements conforming to the interiorportions of said filamentary convolu- I tions and extending into thespaces therebetween.

5. An escalator hand rail structure, comprising a sectional hand railelement, each section including a series of rings held in closely spacedsubstantially coaxial relation, resilient means conforming to theinterior portions of said rings and extending into the spacestherebetween, shoes movably supporting said element, clamping means onsaid shoes securing adjacent sections of said element together and tosaid shoes, a supporting guide rail along which said shoes travel, and aguard on said guide rail having an opening into which said elementtravels and a sloping front face having a substantially highercoefilcient of friction than that of said rings adapted to remove apassengers hand from said element as it enters said opening.

6. An escalator hand rail structure, comprising a sectional hand railelement, each section ineluding a series of rings of uniform radius,flexible means on the interior of said rings for holding adjacent onesof said rings in closely spaced substantially coaxial relation, shoesmovably supporting said element, clamping means on said shoes havinggrooves in which the inner and outer contours of the end rings ofadjacent sections of said element are seated, and a supporting guiderail along which said shoes travel.

7. A traveling hand rail of the character described, comprising a seriesof closely spaced filamentary convolutions in substantially coaxialrelation forming collectively an extended cylinder, and a rubber sleevewithin said cylinder and engaging the interior portions of saidfilamentary convolutions.

8. A traveling hand rail of the character described, comprising ahelical-coil spring having a substantial part of its exterior exposed toprovide a grip surface, and a flexible insert for said spring engagingthe coil interiorly at said grip surface and adapted to flex therewith.

9. A traveling hand rail of the character described, comprising ahelical-coil spring having a substantial part of its exterior exposed toprovide a grip surface, and a flexible insert for said spring engagingthe coil interiorly at said grip surface, said insert having portionsextending between the turns of said spring.

10. A traveling hand rail of the character described, comprising ahelical-coil spring, and a sleeve fitting the interior of the coil andperipherally grooved to render it flexible with said spring.

11. A sectional element for a hand rail of the character described,comprising a helical-coil spring, and a flexible-sleeve insert thereforconstructed and arranged to close the gaps between the turns of saidspring.

12. A guard for an escalator hand rail of the character described, saidguard arranged to extend about the exposed surface of the handrail andhaving a coefficient of friction substantially greater than the exposedsurface of the hand rail.

13. The combination with an escalator hand rail having an exposedsurface of metal, of a guard constructed of rubber and having anupwardly sloping front face arranged to extend around the hand rail,said exposed surface of metal having a lesser coefiicient of frictionthan said front face of said guard.

WALTER F. MASEK. WILLIAM F. RICHARDSON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS

